Detection of an endogenous cannabimimetic molecule, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA in human vascular cells: is 2-arachidonoylglycerol a possible vasomodulator?

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998 Feb 24;243(3):838-43. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1998.8187.

Abstract

Human vascular endothelial cells were found to generate and release 2-arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, upon stimulation with thrombin or A23187. We confirmed that vascular smooth muscle cells as well as endothelial cells possess cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, generated in vascular tissues, may play an important role in modulating vascular tone through acting on the cannabinoid CB1 receptor expressed on vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells as well as peripheral nerve terminals.

MeSH terms

  • Aorta
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism
  • Arachidonic Acids*
  • Calcimycin / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Diglycerides / metabolism
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Endothelium, Vascular / chemistry*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Glycerides / analysis*
  • Glycerides / metabolism
  • Glycerides / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / chemistry*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / drug effects
  • Receptors, Drug / genetics*
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology
  • Thrombin / pharmacology
  • Tritium
  • Umbilical Veins

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Diglycerides
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Glycerides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Tritium
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Calcimycin
  • glyceryl 2-arachidonate
  • Thrombin